Shaft-coupling.



W. A. FLEEK.

SHAFT COUPLING.

APPLICATION TILED FEB. 18, mm.

Patented July 30, 1918.

PATENT @FFM'JE,

SHAFT-COUPLING.

Application filed February 18. 1918.

lie it known that l, \Vitmrvu A. l rinnu', a citizen ot the l nilcd States, and a resident ol' Douglas. 'l.ct'rlt'( r v of Alaska, have in vented a new and im roved Sluttt-(Joupling, ol which the following is a lull, clcar, and exact description.

Til y invention relates to couplings for power shafts and is more particularly intended for use in councrtion with propeller shafts.

An object of the invention is to provide a flexible coupling permitting the propeller shalt to assume dill'ercnt angular positions relatively to the drive shalt while insuring an eil'ective drivin t connection as well as an ctlicicnt thrust bearing for the propeller sl'ia'lt at the couplinp'.

A further important object of the invention is to provide means associated with the coupling adjustable with facility to take up wear on the eouplin n Reference is to be had to the accompanying; drawings it being umlerstood that the drawings are merely illustrative of one ex ample ot' the invention.

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of a shaft coupling embodying my invention;

Fig. 9, is a transverse vertical section on the line 2----2, Fig. 1, parts being omitted;

liig. 3 is a fragmentary end. view of one coupling element looking in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 1, the male coupling; menu her being omitted.

In carrying out my invention in practice, to eil'ect a coupling between an engine shaft or drive shaft 10 and a propeller shaft 11, a female coupling element 12 is provided adapted to be secured in any suitable manner to the drive shaft 10, there being shown for the )ur ose a sleeve 13 on the couolixw sectit) tion 1% receiving the end of the shaft 10 which is secured by a key 14%- and set screws 1.5 The coupling section 15% formed with a curved. bearing surface lti'centrally therein and. with a pe'ripl'ioral flange 17 giving the coupling section If) a round iJOXdlliC term. Within the flange 17 is an annular series of projections or teeth 18.

A i'nating coupling section lit has suitable means for securing it to the propeller shaft 11, there being shown a sleeve 20 on said Specification of Letters Patent,

Patented July 30, 1918.

Serial No. 217.910.

coupling section receiving the end of the shalt 11, the connection being permittcd by a lie :21 and set: screws The coupling scctiou l9 terminates in a ball head from which projccts an annular series of teeth 23 to mate the truth is and at the extreme end the ball head on forms as at ll to the sent us. so that said scat constitutes a thrust bearin for the end oi. the coupling section 1E).

The hox liltc structure section L2 is provided with a ring closure 25, fitting over the ball head of the coupling section it) and the opening in the ring having a curved wall 26 to conform to the hall head. The ring is thrcadcd in the llange .17, the latter having intcl'ual threads for the purpose. whereby said ring may he adjusted to take up wear. To hold the ring as in a given adjustment radial screws 27 are employed exlending through the llang'e l7 and into notches 28 in the hack of the ring 25. The screws 37 will enter particular notches 28 according to the adjustment oi the ring 25 and will prcvcnt the latter 't'rom loosening.

i would state in conclusion that while the illustrated example constitutes a practical cmlmdiment of my invention, I do not limit myself strictly to the mechanical details herein illustrated, since manifestly the same can be considerably varied without departure from the spirit of the invention as delined in the appcndcd claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new, and desire to secure by Lettc rs Patent:

1. A sha'l't coupling including a box-like member adapted to be secured to the drive shaft and presenting an annular flange having internal teeth thereon, a mating coupling section adapted to be secured to the driven shaft, and presenting a ball head, the first coupling section having a central concave depression to rockahl y accommodate the end of the ball head, to permit the driven shaft to vary its angular position, said head having an annular series of teeth thereon mating the teeth on the first coupling section, and means to prevent displacement of the coupling sections.

2. A shalt coupling including a box-like element having an annular series of internal teeth, a mating elei'nent having an end thrust v mmsm bearing centrally against firm firs; eiemem and. scram: exfnending radially through the and forniled W121i an gmliar isriea of ibeeth first element ime said notches. matin t e t'eei on t e rate emant, a ring 7 v v threa e'din the first element and adimpmd to WVILLIlTAM ALFRED FLEEK' 5 been against the ascend element to retain the Wim'wsses:

same in position, said ring having an mmw LYDIA FELs, larseries of notches in the fmm face thereof, A. E. GURR. 

